I have just inherited a Franchi-Brescia 20 gauge shotgun that is made in Italy. I am not very familiar with these types of Italian guns, and have never really seen too many of these guns. I am not really sure of where to look for the date of when it was made. I have looked on the barrel and under the trigger arm but cannot find anything. The gun itself is like new. It is very well made and extremely light. The only lettering it has on the barrel is

Left side of barrel=S.P.A. Luigi FRFANCHI-Brescia-Made in Italy 20 Ga.-chambered 2 3/4'imp CYL

Right side of barrel=Imported by Stoeger arms corp-S Hackensack N.J.

Back left side of chamber reads-SPA Luigi Franchi Brescia, Made in Italy 48, AL 20 Ga. ^ Is this the year it was made?IF anyone can help me with these questions, please respond.I was wondering the value of the gun and what it might be worth.

first of all almost no sporting firearms have a date of mgf. on them, what you have is a franchi m-48al, these are light weight shotguns built on the browning (a-5) long recoil action. well made but they kick like hell because of the weight. gunparts lists parts for them. being imported by stogers i would guess yours dates from the 60's or 70's.

It is a very popular Quail gun in our aria. It only weighs 5 1/4lbs. I have owned two of them for the last 35 years. Both have shot thousands of rounds.

As has already been pointed out it is made from the Browning A-5 patent. Many people do not realize that the friction rings have to be repositioned when switching from high brass to low. Just the same as the Browning A-5 does.

I have owned many fine doubles, And over& unders. None could compare to the Franchi 20 ga on a covey rise in my experience.